Bottle/can tethers

ABSTRACT

A bottle and/or can holder including a strap of nylon webbing looped at one end through a square ring and back through a cinch buckle for length adjustment. The ring is also connected to a short loop of webbing that encircles a Velcro-adjustable cuff for attachment to a child carrier, car seat, wrist or the like. The other end of the strap is sewn to a larger Velcro-adjustable compression cuff for attachment around a bottle, can or the like. The compression cuff has a non-slip rubber (neoprene) strip sewn into the cuff to securely grip the container that it holds. An alternate embodiment of the invention comprises a bottle/can tether including a fixed strap attached to a triangular carabiner at one end, and to a Velcro-adjustable cuff at the opposing end. This cuff is for attachment around a bottle, can or the like, and it has a non-slip rubber (neoprene) strip sewn into it to securely grip the container that it holds. When applied, the devices will securely tether a bottle or can and prevent ground contact and spillage if, for instance, a baby throws his bottle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application derives priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/932,161 filed 29 May 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bottle/can tethers, and more particularly to bottle/can tethers that include a neoprene strip sewn into a mesh collar that surrounds and securely locks a bottle/can into place.

2. Description of the Background

It is desirable to carry a water bottle or canned drink while walking, biking or exercising. However in many instances it is cumbersome to hold a bottle or can without dropping it. Moreover, hand-holding a bottle/can may warm the contents without a desire to do so. Babies also have difficulty in holding their feeding bottles, as they lack the dexterity that adults have. Additionally, babies often drop or throw their bottles on the ground, thereby exposing their bottles to contaminants. These contaminants on a baby's feeding bottle pose a significant risk of illness.

Various types of bottle holders exist to serve as a convenient attachment to a backpack, wrist, piece of furniture, etc. in order to avoid dropping a bottle/can, and thereby prevent ground contact and spillage. Most secure the bottles or cans within a pocket-receptacle by a cinch cord or the like, but these require dexterity for loosening or fastening and are not convenient during strenuous activities such as exercising.

It would be much more desirable to provide a quick-draw bottle and/or can holder that relies on an annulus of high-friction to secure the bottle or can, and particularly a collar with neoprene strip that surrounds and securely locks the bottle/can into place. It would also be advantageous to provide a carabiner or buckled loop for attachment of the foregoing to an inanimate object or around a wrist, thereby freeing up the user's hand(s).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a quick-draw bottle can/tether that relies on friction, and particularly on an annulus of high-friction to steadfastly secure a bottle or can, the frictional annulus provided by a collar incorporating a sewn-in neoprene strip that surrounds and securely locks the bottle/can into place.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a quick-draw bottle can/tether that can safely attach a water/sports drink bottle to the wrist of an individual, a backpack, or other inanimate object, thereby freeing up the user's hand(s).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a length-adjustable bottle can/tether that can safely attach a baby's feeding bottle to a stroller, car seat, or crib where it is accessible to the parent or baby, and yet is retained a safe distance from the ground, such that even if the baby purposely discards the bottle or drops it accidentally, the bottle will not contact the ground or soiled surfaces, thereby avoiding bottle contamination.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bottle/can tether that possesses a simple and scalable design for different-sized bottles and cans, and which is fabricated of lightweight materials to provide an appropriate degree of flexibility, resiliency, durability, and longevity.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a bottle/can tether that may be economically manufactured and sold to provide for widespread use and disposability.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention comprises bottle/can tethers. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a bottle/can tether including a strap of nylon webbing looped at one end through a square ring and back through a cinch buckle for length adjustment. The ring is also connected to a short loop of webbing that encircles a Velcro-adjustable cuff for attachment to a child carrier, car seat, wrist or the like. The other end of the strap is sewn to a larger Velcro-adjustable compression cuff for attachment around a bottle, can or the like. The compression cuff has a non-slip rubber (neoprene) strip sewn into the cuff to securely grip the container that it holds. An alternate embodiment of the invention comprises a bottle/can tether including a fixed strap attached to a triangular carabiner at one end, and to a Velcro-adjustable cuff at the opposing end. This cuff is for attachment around a bottle, can or the like, and it has a non-slip rubber (neoprene) strip sewn into it to securely grip the container that it holds. When applied, the devices will securely tether a bottle or can and prevent ground contact and spillage if, for instance, a baby throws his bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bottle/can tether 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottle/can tether 19 according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a single-handed quick-draw bottle can/tether that relies on an annulus of high-friction to steadfastly secure a bottle or can, the frictional annulus provided by a collar or “compression cuff” incorporating a sewn-in neoprene strip that surrounds and securely locks the bottle/can into place. The compression cuff is attached by a length-adjustable strap to a carabiner or buckled loop for attachment to a child carrier, car seat, wrist or the like. The annulus of high-friction provided by the compression cuff is much more secure than a traditional receptacle with cinch strap, and more firmly locks the bottle/can into place. The compression cuff will not loosen despite extreme conditions and it uses a minimalistic infrastructure, which makes it especially suitable for sports and exercise.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the bottle/can tether 1 which generally comprises an adjustable strap 2 of nylon webbing with opposing compression cuffs 3,4 attached at each end of the strap 2. The strap 2 includes a first length 19 that is looped at one end through one side of a conventional rectangle ring 5 and back through a cinch buckle 6 for length adjustment of the tether 1. The strap 2 includes a second length 7 looped at one end through the other side of rectangle ring 5 and attached to compression cuff 3. Here the second length 7 loops around both the rectangle ring 5 and around the attachment cuff 3, and a bottom portion of the loop 8 is sewn to the attachment cuff 3. The attachment cuff 3 generally comprises a strap 9 fixedly secured to a rectangle ring 10 at one end, and extending to a free end 11 that may be attached unto itself around the ring 10 for securement thereto. To accomplish this, the free end 11 extending past the ring 10 may be equipped with hook fasteners 12, while the free end short of the ring 10 may be equipped with opposing loop fasteners 13. Velcro® is an example of effective hook and loop fasteners that may be used. With this configuration the attachment cuff 3 may be securely tightened circumferentially around various objects, including cribs, child carriers, car seats, a user's wrist or the like (not shown). The user need only insert the free end 11 through the ring 10, and attach it back over onto itself using opposing hook-and-loop fasteners 12, 13.

An opposing end of the strap 2 is attached to a bottle/can compression cuff 4 that circumferentially surrounds a bottle/can (not shown), relying on an annulus of high-friction to steadfastly secure the bottle or can therein. The compression cuff 4 is preferably sewn to the strap 2. The compression cuff 4 generally comprises a short loop of webbing 14 to which a square ring 15 is anchored, and a longer free end of webbing 27 extends beyond the portion of the cuff 4 that is attached to the strap 2. This longer piece of webbing 27 includes a non-slip strip 16 lining the inner surface of the webbing 27, strip 16 preferably being formed of closed cell rubber foam material to grip the container (not shown) that it holds. Rubber strip 16 is preferably sewn to the inner surface of the webbing 27, but may alternately be bonded or otherwise adhered thereto. The webbing 27 is fixedly secured at one end to one side of the square ring 15. A length of the free end of webbing 27 extends in front of the ring 15, and that free end bears hook fasteners 17. That area of the free end of webbing 27 short of the ring 15 includes opposing loop fasteners 18. To securely tighten the compression cuff 4 circumferentially around a bottle/can, a user would insert the webbing 27 through the ring 15, and attach it back over onto itself via the hook and loop fasteners 17, 18. Once the compression cuff 4 is tightened, the non-slip strip 16 in the compression cuff 4 frictionally engages a bottle/can to securely hold it, thereby preventing ground contact and spillage.

The user can easily adjust the strap 2 with the hook and loop fasteners 17, 18 and the ring 15, however the combination of the hook and loop fasteners 17, 18 and the ring 15 makes it difficult for a baby, lacking the same dexterity as an adult, to undo the cuffs 3, 4 and drop the bottle to the ground.

The adjustable strap 2 is approximately 20″ long and 1″ wide. The cinch buckle 6 and rectangle rings 5, 10, 15 are all 1″ long. The strap 9 of the attachment cuff 3 is 8″ long and 1″ wide, with the first portion 12 being 2.5″ long and 0.75″ wide, and the second portion 13 being 3.75″ long and 0.75″ wide.

The non-slip strip 16 sewn to the bottle/can compression cuff 4 is 2.25″ long and 0.75″ wide. The loop portion of the compression cuff 4 is 5.25″ long and the hook portion is 2.5″ long, and both the loop and hook portions are 0.75″ wide.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottle/can tether 19 according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, which includes a fixed strap 20 attached to a triangular carabiner 21 at one end, and to a bottle/can compression cuff 28 at the opposing end. The strap 20 is looped around the carabiner 21, and is sewn underneath the carabiner 21 to hold it in place. The bottom of the strap 20 is sewn to the cuff 28. The compression cuff 28 generally comprises a short loop of webbing 23 anchored by a rectangle ring 24 on one end and attached to the strap 20 on the other end, and also includes a longer free end of webbing 22 attached to the other side of the strap 20. This longer end of webbing 22 includes a non-slip rubber strip 29 sewn onto the inner surface of the webbing 22 to grip the container (not shown) that it holds. The outer surface of the webbing 22 is secured in the rectangle ring 24, and the outer surface includes a first portion 25 that extends in front of the ring 24, and that first portion 25 includes hook fasteners. A second portion 26 of the free end 22 that extends beyond the ring 24 includes opposing loop fasteners. To securely tighten the compression cuff 28 circumferentially around a bottle/can, a user would insert the first portion 25 of the free end 22 through the ring 24, and back over to attach to the second portion 26. Again, the user can easily adjust the tether 19, but a baby will be unable to undo the hook and loop fasteners and the ring 24, and therefore will not be able to release the feeding bottle and drop it to the ground. The non-slip rubber 29 on the compression cuff helps secure the cuff 28 around a bottle or can, and thereby prevents ground contact and spillage. The carabiner 21 can be securely clipped to a backpack, pursue, crib, keychain, etc. for easy, hands-free holding of a bottle/can.

The non-slip strip 16, 29 is preferably formed of closed cell rubber foam material, and a Dupont™ Performance Elastomer such as Neoprene™ polychloroprene is well-suited.

The carabiner 21 is triangular, and 1″ wide at the bottom. The carabiner 21 and rectangle ring 24 is preferably metal, but may comprise any other suitable material.

The strap is 3″ long and 1″ wide. The square ring is 1″ long. The non-slip rubber strip 29 sewn to the bottle/can compression cuff is 6″ long and 0.75″ wide. The loop portion of the compression cuff 28 is 5.25″ long and the hook portion is 2.5″ long, and both the loop and hook portions are 0.75″ wide.

The diameter(s) of the cuff(s) 3, 4, 28 can be adjusted by sliding the strap material 2, 11, 22, 27 through the square rings 5, 10, 15, and fastening at different points along the hook and loop fasteners so as to allow a variety of loop sizes to be formed to accommodate different sizes of structural components as well as different sized bottles/cans.

The bottle can/tethers 1, 19 described above can safely attach a bottle/can to a backpack or some other inanimate object, thereby freeing up the user's hand(s). Moreover, the bottle/can tethers 1, 19 possess a simple, yet scalable design that may be economically manufactured and sold to provide for widespread use. The bottle/can tethers 1, 19 utilize lightweight materials chosen to provide the appropriate degree of flexibility, resiliency, durability, longevity required by the nature of their usage, and yet their cost is minimal to allow ready disposal.

Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications thereto may obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with the underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. 

1. A bottle/can tether, comprising: an elongate first strap; a first compression cuff attached at one end of said strap, said first compression cuff including an elongate second strap attached at one end to a rectangle ring and another end attachable about said rectangle ring onto itself by hook-and-loop material; and a releasable attachment fixture attached to another end of said first strap.
 2. The bottle/can tether according to claim 1, wherein said elongate first strap and second strap both comprise nylon webbing.
 3. The bottle/can tether according to claim 2, wherein said elongate first strap comprises a first section looped at one end through a rectangle ring and back through a cinch buckle for length adjustment, and a second section looped at one end through said rectangle ring.
 4. The bottle/can tether according to claim 2, wherein said first compression cuff includes a non-slip strip attached to an inward face of said elongate second strap.
 5. The bottle/can tether according to claim 4, wherein said non-slip strip comprises closed cell rubber foam material.
 6. The bottle/can tether according to claim 5, wherein said non-slip strip comprises Neoprene™ polychloroprene.
 7. The bottle/can tether according to claim 5, wherein said non-slip strip is sewn onto said second strap.
 8. The bottle/can tether according to claim 5, wherein said non-slip strip is bonded onto said second strap.
 9. The bottle/can tether according to claim 6, wherein said releasable attachment fixture comprises a second compression cuff attached to another end of said first strap.
 10. The bottle/can tether according to claim 6, wherein said releasable attachment fixture comprises a carabiner.
 11. A bottle/can tether, comprising: an elongate first strap of nylon webbing including a first section looped at one end through a rectangle ring and back through a cinch buckle for length adjustment, and a second section looped at one end through said rectangle ring; a first compression cuff attached at one end of said first strap, said first compression cuff including second strap attached at one end to a rectangle ring and another end attachable about said rectangle ring onto itself by hook-and-loop material, and a non-slip Neoprene™ strip adhered inside said second strap; and a carabiner attached to another end of said first strap.
 12. The bottle/can tether according to claim 11, wherein said non-slip Neoprene™ strip is sewn to an inward face of said second strap.
 13. The bottle/can tether according to claim 11, wherein said non-slip strip creates an annulus of high-friction around a bottle or can when said first compression cuff is tightened thereabout to securely lock the bottle or can in place.
 14. A bottle/can tether, comprising: an elongate first strap of nylon webbing including a first section looped at one end through a rectangle ring and back through a cinch buckle for length adjustment, and a second section looped at one end through said rectangle ring; a first compression cuff attached at one end of said first strap, said first compression cuff including second strap attached at one end to a rectangle ring and another end attachable about said rectangle ring onto itself by hook-and-loop material, and a non-slip Neoprene™ strip adhered inside said second strap; and a second compression cuff attached to another end of said first strap.
 15. The bottle/can tether according to claim 14, wherein said second compression cuff comprises a strap secured at one end to a rectangle ring and attachable onto itself at another end around said rectangle ring by hook-and-loop material.
 16. The bottle/can tether according to claim 15, wherein said non-slip strip creates an annulus of high-friction around a bottle or can when said first compression cuff is tightened thereabout to securely lock the bottle or can in place. 